Description

This Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese is a comforting, cheesy dish featuring tender chicken breasts topped with a creamy spinach and cheese mixture. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, it’s a delicious and satisfying meal that combines fresh spinach, rich cream cheese, and savory mozzarella for a flavorful family-friendly dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken & Marinade

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Spinach Mixture

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups fresh spinach
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)

Topping

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
Prepare Chicken Cutlets: Cut each chicken breast horizontally in half to create four thin cutlets. Pound the thicker ends gently to ensure even thickness for uniform cooking.
Marinate Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Toss the chicken cutlets in this marinade, cover, and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes to infuse flavor.
Cook Spinach: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add fresh spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and set aside.
Make Cream Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Stir in the cooked spinach, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese if using, combining into a creamy filling.
Optional Sear Chicken: For extra flavor, sear the marinated chicken cutlets in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes per side until lightly browned but not fully cooked.
Assemble Casserole: Arrange the chicken cutlets evenly in the prepared baking dish. Spread the cream cheese and spinach mixture over the chicken. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the cheese on top is melted and lightly browned.
Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after baking to let the flavors meld and juices redistribute before serving.

Notes

For a richer flavor, searing the chicken before baking is recommended but optional.
Using fresh spinach helps prevent excess moisture in the casserole.
You can substitute mozzarella with a blend of cheeses like provolone or Monterey Jack if preferred.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safety.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chicken casserole, spinach casserole, cream cheese chicken, baked chicken dish, easy dinner recipe, cheesy chicken casserole